Ross County midfielder Ruben Palazuelos is determined the influx of new players can spark new life into the Staggies’ quest for Premiership survival.
Palazuelos was one of six signings made by manager Jim McIntyre during the January transfer window, after the 31-year-old left Cypriot club Ermis Aradippou in November.
Former Ivory Coast international defender Abdoulaye Meite also joined earlier in the week, with McIntyre trying to revive a squad six points adrift of today’s opponents Motherwell and St Mirren at the bottom of the Premiership.
County have the chance to narrow the gap on the Steelmen to three points with victory this afternoon, and Palazuelos is fully aware of what is at stake.
He said: “As a new arrival, I have to try to lift the players and freshen things.
“I hope I can play a big part in getting the victory against Motherwell and restoring confidence for the next games against Partick and Hamilton.
“We have to get wins as soon as possible. We need them. This is a massive game for us.
“If we get the win, the difference will be huge for the team – the confidence, everything. In football everything is possible.
“Every game is important and we have 14 left. But we can’t look to the future, just the next game. It’s Motherwell, and it’s like a final for us.
“I think one big result can kick start it for us. That’s what I feel and what the rest of the players are also thinking.”
Spaniard Palazuelos is relishing his second stint in Scottish football, having spent four years with Hearts after joining in 2007.
Although he has already made two appearances for the Staggies Palazuelos is still catching up on fitness, having not played since a 10-minute substitute appearance on November 2 when Ermis were defeated 3-2 by AEL Limassol.
He hopes his experience of top-flight football in Scotland can help him settle quickly with his new team, adding: “I left Hearts in 2011 and, really, it was a very good time for me. I spent four years at Hearts and played 130 games.
“So I’m really happy to be back in Scotland because I like the style of football and the style of life.
“My family was also happy when I played for Hearts and I always said that, one day, I hoped to go back to Scotland. Now I’m here.
“I feel good at my current level of fitness, but I probably just need a couple of games more. I feel in good physical shape and I’ll try to do the best for me and to help the team.
“I like the manager’s way of playing football. It is good for me and my style of play. In Spain, we try to play fast with the ball on the surface.
“We have shown we can do it in training and we now have to show it on the field.”